Courts / Dublin / Report

Pant-wetting thief who threatened priest jailed for a year

Summary

In August 2013, 33‑year‑old Mark Pierce was caught stealing from a church poor box in Inchicore. While being restrained by Father William Fitzpatrick (67) and John McShane (47), he threatened the priest with an uncapped syringe, saying he would gouge him, and then urinated on himself. Pierce, a father of four, pleaded guilty to theft and threatening to injure a priest. He had prior drug convictions. Judge Martin Nolan described the theft as "a pretty offensive crime but not a serious one" and noted the frightening nature of Pierce's behaviour. The priest and McShane had to use all their strength to restrain him. Pierce later admitted he had used the syringe earlier that day and was attempting to fish coins from the poor box to fund his €40‑a‑day drug habit. He was sentenced to one year in prison.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Pant-wetting thief who threatened priest jailed for a year. Charges or matters: theft and threatening to injure Fr Fitzpatrick with a syringe at Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore on August 6, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• August 6, 2013 Other
• 2015-02-04 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report